Umbrella.



R. IVI. SOUTH.

UMBRELLA.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3. |916.

Imw.. lPafemed Dec. 5,1916.

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A TTUH/VEVS UMBFJEIJIIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 5, 19146.

Application filed April 3, 1916. Serial No. 88,649.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD M. SOUTH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Palmyra, in the county of Marion and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Umbrellas, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to umbrellas and parasols, the object being the provision of an improved article of this type which may be readily manipulated by one hand, thereby leaving the remaining hand free for any other purpose.

rlhe details of construction, combination, and operation of parts comprising the invention are as hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

While the drawing illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention,`it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet special requirements, various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in elevation of an umbrella embodying the invention, the cover being omitted and the frame being extended, and certain of the ribs, stretchers and braces being also omitted. Fig. 2 is a sectional detail on a larger scale, of the parts illustrated in Fig. 1, showing them in the same relation. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. e is a detail view of one of the ribs showing a portion of the stretcher and the sleeve associated therewith, such sleeve being in longitudinal section.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the sameV reference characters.

In its* general formation the umbrella comprises a stick 1 and a folding frame, the latter consisting of ribs 2, stretchers 3 and braces 11. The stick 1 is hollow and is provided at one end with the usual grip or handle 5. A rod 6 is slidable in the oppo site end portion of the stick and is connected at its lower end with the usual runner 7, to which the lower ends of the braces 41 are pivotally connected in the manner well understood. The rod 6 is adapted to project beyond the outer end of the stick 1 a distance, to admit of proper folding of the frame or umbrella when pressure is exerted upon the outer extremity of the rod 6 to press the same within the stick. The runner 7 is mounted on the stick exteriorly and adapted to slide thereon, and is connected through the stick to the inner or lower end of the rod 6 so as to move therewith. is shown a pin 8 is utilized as fastening means for connecting the runner to the rod, the ends of such pin passing through longitudinal slots 9 formed in ooposite sides of the hollow stick 1. lWhen t e ruimer 7 is at the limit of its downward movement upon stick 1, it is engaged by means of a suitable catch 10, b means of which the umbrella is held close The ribs 2 are pivotally connected at their inner ends to the usual notched collar 11 which is secured to the outer end of the stick 1 in any preferred way. r1`he stretchers 3 are pivotally connected to a notched member 12 secured to thev stick 1 a short distance from the member 11. The outer ends of the stretchers 3 are pivotally connected to sleeves 13 which are freely slidable upon the ribs 2. The braces l are pivotally connected at their upper or outer ends to the stretchers 3 in any manner, as indicated at 14.

From the foregoing it will be readily understood that the umbrella is opened or closed by movement of the runner 7. Movement of the runner 7 toward the handle or grip 5 causes the frame to fold and the umbrella to close. lr/fovement of the runner 7 away from the handle 5 and toward the outer or opposite end of the stick, causes the umbrella frame to unfold. In order that the opening of the umbrella may be automatic when the runner 7 is released from the restraining influence of the catch V10, a spring 15 is provided, such spring normally exerting an outward force upon the runner 7. In the preferred construction the spring 15 is of helical form and contractile so as to exert a pulling force upon the runner 7 at all times. rl`he pulling force is greatest when the umbrella is closed, thereby providing for quickly overcoming the inertia of the parts when the runner 7 is released from the catch 10. rlhe spring 15 is mounted upon the stick 1 and is disposed between the runner 7 and the collar 12, and is connected at its respective ends to the said collar and runner.

- It is to be understood that the frame will be provided with the usual cover, not shown, the same being fitted to the ribs 2 in the manner well understood.` When closing the umbrella the runner 7 is moved downward upon the stick l toward the handle 5. This 'may be readily and conveniently ei'ected by placing the extremity of the rod 6 against Van object and pressing upon the stick to ,the ribs, and such provision is had bymeans of the sleeves 13. TWhen it is required to open the umbrella, it is necessary only to disengage the catchlO from the runner 7 and after the latter has been released the spring 15 will come into play to move such runner outward uponthe stick, thereby unfolding the parts. The outward movement of the runner 7 causes a projection oi' the end portion of the rod 6 beyond the stick l. Pressure upon the extremity of the rod 6 causes the umbrella to close in the manner Stated. Y

I claim: Y

l. A self opening umbrella, parasol or the Vlike comprising a hollow stick, a rod slidablewithin the outer portion of said stick and vprojecting therefrom, a runner slidable upon the stick and having connection withV the rod, a spring applied to the stick exteriorly Aand normally exerting a force rupon the rod and runner to move the same outward, and a folding frame compris- Qing ribs, stretchers andV braces, the latter having connection with the runner.

2. A self opening umbrella, parasol or the i like comprising'a hollow stick, a rod slid` able within the stick and ,adapted to have Copies of this vpatent maybe obtained for an end portion projecting beyond the cxtremity of such stick, a runner lslidably mounted upon the stick and having connection with the inner end of the said rod, a helical spring mounted upon the stick and normally exerting an outward force upon the runner and rod, a folding frame comprising ribs, stretchers and braces, the latter having connection with the runner, and a catch for engaging the runner to normally hold the umbrella closed against the `force exerted by the said spring.

3. An umbrella comprising a stick, ribs having pivotal connection at their inner ends with the stick, strctchers having pivotal connection at their inner ends with the stick at a point distant from the connection ofthe ribs with such stick, means slidably connecting' the outer ends of the stretchers with the outer portions of the ribs, a runner mounted upon the stick and braces connecting such runner with the stretchers.

4. A self opening umbrella comprising a hollow stick having a longitudinal slot in a side thereof, a rod slidable within an end portion of the stick and adapted to have an e'nd portion projecting beyond the outer extremity of such stick, a runner mounted upon the stick, connecting means between the runner and rod and operating in the slot of the stick, ribs having pivotal connection at -their inner lends with the stick, stretchers having sliding engagement at v their outer ends with the ribs, and pivotal connection at their inner ends with the stick, braces having pivotal connection with the stretchers and runner, and a contractile spring mounted upon the stick and connected at one end with the runner, and no1:-

mally exerting a pull upon such runner to i move the same outward upon the stick.

RICHARD MARTIN SOUTH. Witnesses:

J. E. ANDERSON, H. J. BAKER.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, 1). C. 

